Parents and residents in the Tamaqua Area School District wanted to know more about students, curriculum, school funding, charter schools and sports, and a few hot button issues, including gender and Satan at a meeting Tuesday night.

Funding

Tamaqua Area School Board President Larry Wittig opened the floor for public comment with the first questions revolving around funding for special education students.

Thomas Williams asked if the district received more funding for special education students, as opposed to “one of our top students,” and the percentage of students who had individualized education programs, or IEPs.

Business manager Connie Ligenza said the district does receive more funding for those students in special education, but the amount of subsidies varies on the governor’s budget and the amount of support a student needs.

She estimated the percentage of students enrolled at close to 30%.

Williams also asked how many “non-English speaking,” or “Spanish speaking” students the district had.

Assistant Superintendent Stephen Toth explained the former English as Second Language, or ESL, students are now called English language learners, and there has been an influx in the district, but the numbers vary.

“It’s a very transient population,” he said. “We’ve seen explosions in numbers. We’ve also seen some reductions.”

The district now has three full-time teachers working with English language learners, as opposed to one full-time teacher and a part-time teacher four years ago, Toth said. The district has 30 to 40 students in the elementary, and 20 to 25 in the secondary school, he said.

Williams also asked if English language learners hold back “English speaking” students, who may be in classes together.

Toth explained that English language learners get specialized classes three hours a day, and are enrolled in other classes, where there is less focus on English, such as art or physical education to balance courses.

“The number that don’t speak any English is very, very small,” Superintendent Ray Kinder said. “Most of the students who come actually speak English, they just have some barriers that they need to work on, so they can function in some of the other classes as well.”

Curriculum

Paul Benulis told the board that he, as a parent, was interested in learning more about the curriculum and wondered if it was posted anywhere and if he could also review required readings.

Toth explained that the district’s curriculum is based on the state’s Standards Aligned System, or SAS, which can be found online, and the English departments approve readings, which haven’t changed much over time, focusing on the classics.

Wittig said they could provide any required reading to him, but there is no required reading list from the state, just standards to show students are performing.

Gender identity

Benulis then asked about what genders or pronouns are recognized, and if there were any plans or discussions regarding combined restrooms or locker rooms.

Kinder explained there have been no discussions regarding any preference other than “the status quo,” meaning male and female, and would consult with a younger student’s parents, if a preference was raised, and talk directly with a student over 18, as required by law, and asking if the parents were aware.

Williams wanted to know if the district would recognize a student as anything other than male or female. Kinder replied that no one asked them to be called male or female now.

Williams pushed the issue a step further and asked what the district would do if a boy recognized himself as female and wanted to use the female bathroom, and the parents agree.

Kinder said districts officials, including legal counsel, would have to have a discussion with the parents and child, and make a determination moving forward, but this is not an issue in the district now.

“Those situations have not been presented to us,” Kinder said. “If they were presented, we will look to see what we were required to do and follow through. Again, it’s not something that is happening, current in our situation.”

Sports for home-school

Bob Caputo asked about the district’s policy on sports and charter and home-schooled students. Kinder explained the district is required to allow these students to participate, and Toth added that Tamaqua Area can charge the charter school for uniforms, equipment etc.

Wittig noted that many years ago, the board voted against a home-schooled student playing basketball, and he was among the ones who had voted to allow him to play. He called it “a big disservice” to that student, not allowing him to participate.

“Again, that’s ancient history, but that wrong has been righted, in my opinion,” Wittig said.

Greg Tirpak asked if the board was aware of the situation in Saucon Valley School District, where an After School Satan Club was forming. Wittig called it “insane,” but said they are looking at it as a religious organization.

“I just wanted to make you aware,” Tirpak said. “That’s probably not too far down on our doorstep, either.”